Begich Pleased with Sealaska Bill Progress

Published: June 18, 2013

U.S. Senator Mark Begich made the following statement in response to the announcement that the Sealaska Land Bill has passed the Senate Energy Committee today:

“This important step brings us closer to finalizing the transfer of land owed to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples in southeast Alaska. As a co-sponsor, I am pleased that I could bring bipartisan support to this bill so that it is now ready for final passage in the Senate. I applaud Senator Murkowski and her staff as well as the U.S. Forest Service for coming to the table, listening to what Alaskans had to say, and finally reaching a compromise on this long-disputed issue. In addition to boosting the Southeast economy and creating new jobs, this legislation will finalize the transfer of the land promised to Alaska Natives more than 40 years ago.”